Contents |
| 1. |
The Politics Of Preschool
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| 2. |
Help! I've Got The Worst Teacher In The School
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| 3. |
10 Things About Kindergarten You Need to Know Now
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| 4. |
7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens
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| 5. |
Summer learning Loss Chart
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| 1. |
The Politics Of Preschool
Posted On : Jun 19, 2013
By Jan Wilson
As your little one makes the exciting transition to preschool, you may find your own anticipation laced with a host of concerns. An experienced mom shares her tips for smoothing the path to preschool for both parent and child.
Beginning preschool is an exciting time for families, opening up a new world of experiences for your child and you. Throughout the year, you'll see your child learn so much more than just her ABC'sshe'll gain new social skills, grow more independent and confident, and have fun, too!
If you're sending your child to preschool for the first time, you may be wondering how to make these years before elementary school as productive as possible. How will your child adjust to being away from his primary caregiver all day? Will he make friends? Will she be able to follow directions and enjoy herself? And, perhaps most importantly, will there be enough potty breaks?!
Take a deep breath and relax, Mama! Preschool will be a learning adventure not only for your child, but for you as well! No matter what concerns you, there are other adults at preschool to help you. If you have confidence that you've picked the right school for your child, you should allow yourself to be guided by the professionals who will be staffing your child's classrooms, as well as other parents whose children have attended the preschool.
Get Acquainted
Meeting your child's teacher before the first day of school helps the teacher to get to know you and your child and establishes the basis for a good parent-teacher relationship. Getting acquainted with the teacher and classroom can also ease a child's anxiety about the unknowns of school, as young children are more comfortable in predictable situations.
Make sure you let your child's teacher know about any other significant people in your child's life, as well as any recent disruptions, such as the birth of a new sibling, a move, or the illness of a grandparent. And don't forget to ask the teacher how to best contact her. Discussing important issues with the teacher at pick-up and drop-off times isn't fair to the teacher and doesn't give your concern the focused time that it deserves. Instead, schedule a meeting with the teacher or ask if you can communicate with her via email or telephone.
Trust the Teachers' Experience
Marlene Barron, Ph.D., head of school at West Side Montessori, a 200-student preschool in New York, says that parents often struggle because they don't believe their child's preschool teacher fully recognizes the child's uniqueness.
"I think that the hardest thing for parents is that their child is very special to them and they want the teacher to believe that child is very special also. No teacher is ever going to feel about a child the way a parent does, and that's a healthy thing," she says.
"Teachers are looking at children within the context of a lot of other children. Teachers know a lot about children and child development," adds Barron. "The parent only knows his child historically. So while he may have historical information, he really doesn't know child development or what typical behavior for the child's peer group is. A teacher knows that well."
Don't Overact to Conflicts
Even normally well-behaved children can find themselves in tangles with peersand young children often lack the social skills needed to resolve conflicts. When this happens, a parent sometimes needs to step in and handle the situation with care.
"One tip that I actually learned is to go through the teacher when there is a conflict with another child," says Lynn Olson of Oak Park, Illinois, the mother of a seven-year- old son and three-year-old daughter. "My son came home with stories about things that happened in school, and if I believed all of them I would have been in big trouble. My kid is honest but he is also a little kid and the world looks very different from down there. The teacher is able to take a close look at the situation and talk to the other parent if there is a conflict; if one parent approaches another parent, it can be taken very personally and can backfire on all parties."
Parents also sometimes find themselves in conflict with their child's teacher. In this case, it's crucial that you approach the teacher first, rather than going immediately to the director or complaining to other parents.
"We say very clearly in our handbook that the first person to go to is the teacher," Barron says. "We also have social workers who can work with the kids at our school."
Olson adds, "Don't go behind the teacher's back by gossiping with other parents about the teacher's performance. Be direct without being defensive and get to the pointdon't waste the teacher's time."
If you and the teacher cannot work out a solution or agree on a course of action, then approach the director for assistance.
Don't Worry about Separation Anxiety
When your child is going to school for the first time, it's natural that he may have problems separating from you or his caregiver. While this may be true, veteran parents caution that you also should look at yourself to see whether you are contributing to your child's feelings of sadness about letting you go. Children are very observant, and if a child sees her mother worrying, she may mirror this emotion. It's OK to shed a few tears about this new milestone in your little one's lifejust try not to do it in front of your preschooler.
Rebecca Kramnick, the mother of eight- and four-year-old daughters in Hoboken, New Jersey, says that through her own children's preschool experiences, she has seen other parents who have reinforced their children's separation anxiety.
"For parents who are having tremendous separation issues, they have to think about their own problems with separation. If you are acting like school is going to be a positive experience, the kid is going to pick it up," says Kramnick. "Obviously preschool is a major separation hurdle, but I really do think it's one of those things that you have to talk yourself through so as to not create a monster, or you will be in that preschool lobby that entire year with a crying child on your leg."
Don't Be Afraid To Change
While most children will do just fine in any preschool setting with a competent caring staff, occasionally the fit is just wrong. Maybe your child's preschool has a staff that's not willing to work with your child's toilet training. Or perhaps you don't agree with the school's discipline methods. Whatever the case, if you have true philosophical differences with the school's policies, don't be afraid to find another institution that is a better fit.
"You shouldn't hesitate to look for a different school if you don't think it's working out at the current preschool. I wish I had done this for my son when he was going through his biting phase," says Traci Benson of Custer, South Dakota.
"My husband and I were doing everything that we could think of to help [my son] not bite, but the problem was just that his verbal communication skills weren't up to where they needed to be, so when he'd get frustrated with another child for taking a toy from him, or whatever, he'd bite. We talked to his teacher, but she wouldn't try to help our son use his words to express his feelings."
After three months of frequently being sent home for the biting, Benson's son was dismissed from the school completely. "It turned out to be a blessing, though, because then we found a much better school for him, and after we talked with his teacher, she worked with himand he only ever bit one time after starting the new school," says Benson.
Chances are that sending your child to school for the first time will be more stressful for your child than for you. If you select a good school and work with the teachers and administration as a team, you'll be building a great foundation for your child's success in elementary school and beyond.
Source: http://parenting.kaboose.com/education-and-learning/school-life/politics-of-preschool.html
By Jan Wilson
As your little one makes the exciting transition to preschool, you may find your own anticipation laced with a host of concerns. An experienced mom shares her tips for smoothing the path to preschool for both parent and child.
Beginning preschool is an exciting time for families, opening up a new world of experiences for your child and you. Throughout the year, you'll see your child learn so much more than just her ABC'sshe'll gain new social skills, grow more independent and confident, and have fun, too!
If you're sending your child to preschool for the first time, you may be wondering how to make these years before elementary school as productive as possible. How will your child adjust to being away from his primary caregiver all day? Will he make friends? Will she be able to follow directions and enjoy herself? And, perhaps most importantly, will there be enough potty breaks?!
Take a deep breath and relax, Mama! Preschool will be a learning adventure not only for your child, but for you as well! No matter what concerns you, there are other adults at preschool to help you. If you have confidence that you've picked the right school for your child, you should allow yourself to be guided by the professionals who will be staffing your child's classrooms, as well as other parents whose children have attended the preschool.
Get Acquainted
Meeting your child's teacher before the first day of school helps the teacher to get to know you and your child and establishes the basis for a good parent-teacher relationship. Getting acquainted with the teacher and classroom can also ease a child's anxiety about the unknowns of school, as young children are more comfortable in predictable situations.
Make sure you let your child's teacher know about any other significant people in your child's life, as well as any recent disruptions, such as the birth of a new sibling, a move, or the illness of a grandparent. And don't forget to ask the teacher how to best contact her. Discussing important issues with the teacher at pick-up and drop-off times isn't fair to the teacher and doesn't give your concern the focused time that it deserves. Instead, schedule a meeting with the teacher or ask if you can communicate with her via email or telephone.
Trust the Teachers' Experience
Marlene Barron, Ph.D., head of school at West Side Montessori, a 200-student preschool in New York, says that parents often struggle because they don't believe their child's preschool teacher fully recognizes the child's uniqueness.
"I think that the hardest thing for parents is that their child is very special to them and they want the teacher to believe that child is very special also. No teacher is ever going to feel about a child the way a parent does, and that's a healthy thing," she says.
"Teachers are looking at children within the context of a lot of other children. Teachers know a lot about children and child development," adds Barron. "The parent only knows his child historically. So while he may have historical information, he really doesn't know child development or what typical behavior for the child's peer group is. A teacher knows that well."
Don't Overact to Conflicts
Even normally well-behaved children can find themselves in tangles with peersand young children often lack the social skills needed to resolve conflicts. When this happens, a parent sometimes needs to step in and handle the situation with care.
"One tip that I actually learned is to go through the teacher when there is a conflict with another child," says Lynn Olson of Oak Park, Illinois, the mother of a seven-year- old son and three-year-old daughter. "My son came home with stories about things that happened in school, and if I believed all of them I would have been in big trouble. My kid is honest but he is also a little kid and the world looks very different from down there. The teacher is able to take a close look at the situation and talk to the other parent if there is a conflict; if one parent approaches another parent, it can be taken very personally and can backfire on all parties."
Parents also sometimes find themselves in conflict with their child's teacher. In this case, it's crucial that you approach the teacher first, rather than going immediately to the director or complaining to other parents.
"We say very clearly in our handbook that the first person to go to is the teacher," Barron says. "We also have social workers who can work with the kids at our school."
Olson adds, "Don't go behind the teacher's back by gossiping with other parents about the teacher's performance. Be direct without being defensive and get to the pointdon't waste the teacher's time."
If you and the teacher cannot work out a solution or agree on a course of action, then approach the director for assistance.
Don't Worry about Separation Anxiety
When your child is going to school for the first time, it's natural that he may have problems separating from you or his caregiver. While this may be true, veteran parents caution that you also should look at yourself to see whether you are contributing to your child's feelings of sadness about letting you go. Children are very observant, and if a child sees her mother worrying, she may mirror this emotion. It's OK to shed a few tears about this new milestone in your little one's lifejust try not to do it in front of your preschooler.
Rebecca Kramnick, the mother of eight- and four-year-old daughters in Hoboken, New Jersey, says that through her own children's preschool experiences, she has seen other parents who have reinforced their children's separation anxiety.
"For parents who are having tremendous separation issues, they have to think about their own problems with separation. If you are acting like school is going to be a positive experience, the kid is going to pick it up," says Kramnick. "Obviously preschool is a major separation hurdle, but I really do think it's one of those things that you have to talk yourself through so as to not create a monster, or you will be in that preschool lobby that entire year with a crying child on your leg."
Don't Be Afraid To Change
While most children will do just fine in any preschool setting with a competent caring staff, occasionally the fit is just wrong. Maybe your child's preschool has a staff that's not willing to work with your child's toilet training. Or perhaps you don't agree with the school's discipline methods. Whatever the case, if you have true philosophical differences with the school's policies, don't be afraid to find another institution that is a better fit.
"You shouldn't hesitate to look for a different school if you don't think it's working out at the current preschool. I wish I had done this for my son when he was going through his biting phase," says Traci Benson of Custer, South Dakota.
"My husband and I were doing everything that we could think of to help [my son] not bite, but the problem was just that his verbal communication skills weren't up to where they needed to be, so when he'd get frustrated with another child for taking a toy from him, or whatever, he'd bite. We talked to his teacher, but she wouldn't try to help our son use his words to express his feelings."
After three months of frequently being sent home for the biting, Benson's son was dismissed from the school completely. "It turned out to be a blessing, though, because then we found a much better school for him, and after we talked with his teacher, she worked with himand he only ever bit one time after starting the new school," says Benson.
Chances are that sending your child to school for the first time will be more stressful for your child than for you. If you select a good school and work with the teachers and administration as a team, you'll be building a great foundation for your child's success in elementary school and beyond.
Source: http://parenting.kaboose.com/education-and-learning/school-life/politics-of-preschool.html
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| 2. |
Help! I've Got The Worst Teacher In The School
Posted On : Jun 19, 2013
By Susan Solomon Yem
As parents express concern about the quality of education, they often complain about the competence of the teachers instructing their children. What should you do if your child is assigned to the classroom of an inadequate teacher?
He could feel the knot growing in the pit of his stomach as he walked through the school's corridors. He had been sent by his teacher to borrow a book from another classroom. Having heard much about the teacher he was about to confront, he was not eager to perform this task.
His knock on the door was greeted by a brusque response. Feeling totally intimidated, the boy quickly mumbled why he was there. He felt humiliated as the teacher requested that he speak up and address the class properly. After what he perceived to be continued taunting followed by laughter from the students, the boy ran out of the room. His grip tightened around the book he'd sought as tears welled up in his eyes.
As he related this story to his parents that night, they decided together that next year he would go to a private school. Had he stayed, chances are this would have been his teacher.
As parents express concern about the quality of education, they often complain about the competence of the teachers instructing their children. What should you do if your child is assigned to the classroom of an inadequate teacher?
Parents may seek such alternatives as private school, an out-of-town public school in a School Choice program, or home-schooling. But educators and counselors alike are recommending a different option: helping the student accept and cope with the teacher assigned.
Margie Bogdanow, MSW, co-director of Parenting Resource Associates in Lexington, Massachusetts says, "When you first find out who your child's next teacher is and you and your child are not happy, acknowledge your disappointment, but find something positive, too. I think that it is very rare that there is a really bad teacher. Teachers are desperate for supervision and training. Some are stale. They need feedback. They need inspiration."
When her eldest daughter was assigned to the fifth grade classroom of the teacher encountered above, Ann, who chose not to use her real name because she has three younger children yet to be placed in that school, was nervous. "I had heard a lot of rumors about this teacher's reputation. He yelled a lot. He teased and picked on kids. He did not have high expectations. He's a guy who wishes he was a principal somewhere. He's burned out. He's just biding his time until something better comes along. I wasn't happy that my daughter was in his classroom, but I didn't feel like there was much I could do. We didn't want to change schools. This was the school she's attended all her life. All her friends are here."
Bogdanow cautions parents, "Don't believe all the rumors you hear about teachers. Go into this with an open mind. There are so many ways to make things more positive."
"My daughter was very nervous before school started," Ann recalls. "But we sat down together and I told her: 'In life you come up against people who are hard to get along with or irritate you. You can't always run away. Just do your best'."
Bogdanow stresses, "How you respond will affect your child's response. Rather than talk about your own bad feelings, help your child realize that we're all dealt things in life that are not good, but we need to make the best of the situation."
Parents often base teacher competency judgments on personality rather than productivity.
Mary J. Downey-Tipping, an education consultant in Brookline, Massachusetts says, "There are many factors to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of a teacher. Most important are how consistent and challenging the teacher is. Having a teacher who is inconsistent is more upsetting to a child than one with a stern teaching manner."
While Tipping recommends waiting at least one marking period before making any changes, she encourages parents to be alert to warning signs. "Does the child often complain of stomachaches and not wanting to go to school? Is there too much or too little homework? Is there a regular plan of testing? How much parent/teacher contact is there?
"Marks are subjective," says Tipping. "Parents should look carefully at all the work their child is bringing home. In the first three elementary grades, children should be assigned no more than 30 minutes of homework a night. It should show what the child is learning in school during the day. In grades four, five and six, teachers should stress developing study skills. There should be long range assignments which include basic outlining and planning skills."
Parents should keep a close watch on their child's progress in school.
"There's a problem," comments Bogdanow, "If the child begins acting out in school, stops working at his or her ability or there is a change in the quality of their work. Listen to your child. Don't negate what they're feeling and don't assume that the child is to blame. Things don't have to be at a crisis stage before you take action. Approach this as a parent/teacher partnership. Recognize the negative, but support the positive. Work together to figure out ways to make things better."
"Parents should really treat their child's teacher with respect," adds Tipping. "Deal with the difficulties adult to adult. Never use your child as a go-between."
Linda Tiller is a classroom aide at the elementary school her three children attend in Watertown, Massachusetts. She's seen improvement in the classrooms of teachers where parents get involved. "One of our teachers is a bit disorganized and sloppy. There is no structure in her classroom, so the kids have trouble focusing. They don't tune in. They're not well mannered. A lot of parents volunteer in that classroom. They organize activities and class projects. In other classrooms parents assist the teacher. Here they come up with ideas and initiate things themselves."
"Parents really need to stay involved," says Bogdanow. "Volunteer in the classroom. The teacher may feel threatened, but he may learn something, too. Teachers are very isolated. They may appreciate the assistance of another adult."
If a teacher is really not doing the job and is unresponsive to you, a meeting with the principal may be in order. Bogdanow says: "Principals, school boards and administrators need to know about poor teachers."
Other issues may be affecting a teacher's performance in the classroom. "Teachers can't do a good job if their curriculum is weak," says Tipping. "And schools are picking up all kinds of different societal aspects today. Children are coming into school with more issues than ever before."
Bogdanow notes, "A lot of teachers are poorly supervised. They don't receive support from principals and parents. Teachers need validation for the good things they do."
Often a parent's worst fear never materializes, as Ann explains. "The rumors we heard before school started were much worse that the truth. He wasn't really bad, just not a great teacher and by the end of the year all the kids liked him."
To make the school year better, Bogdanow suggests: "Prior to the opening of school, find another child who will be in the class, who can be friends with your child. Try to find outside interests for your child during the school year that they will enjoy."
To improve academic ability, follow Tipping's advice, "Make sure your child is reading at home. If your child doesn't get enough homework, assign some yourself."
Learning to accept an inferior teacher is a lesson children can apply to their lives long after graduation. "A kid goes to school from kindergarten through twelfth grade," Ann says. "All the teachers are not going to be great. We all have our faults. If they can rise above it and do their best I don't think they suffer in the long run."
Source: http://parenting.kaboose.com/education-and-learning/school-life/bad-teacher.html
By Susan Solomon Yem
As parents express concern about the quality of education, they often complain about the competence of the teachers instructing their children. What should you do if your child is assigned to the classroom of an inadequate teacher?
He could feel the knot growing in the pit of his stomach as he walked through the school's corridors. He had been sent by his teacher to borrow a book from another classroom. Having heard much about the teacher he was about to confront, he was not eager to perform this task.
His knock on the door was greeted by a brusque response. Feeling totally intimidated, the boy quickly mumbled why he was there. He felt humiliated as the teacher requested that he speak up and address the class properly. After what he perceived to be continued taunting followed by laughter from the students, the boy ran out of the room. His grip tightened around the book he'd sought as tears welled up in his eyes.
As he related this story to his parents that night, they decided together that next year he would go to a private school. Had he stayed, chances are this would have been his teacher.
As parents express concern about the quality of education, they often complain about the competence of the teachers instructing their children. What should you do if your child is assigned to the classroom of an inadequate teacher?
Parents may seek such alternatives as private school, an out-of-town public school in a School Choice program, or home-schooling. But educators and counselors alike are recommending a different option: helping the student accept and cope with the teacher assigned.
Margie Bogdanow, MSW, co-director of Parenting Resource Associates in Lexington, Massachusetts says, "When you first find out who your child's next teacher is and you and your child are not happy, acknowledge your disappointment, but find something positive, too. I think that it is very rare that there is a really bad teacher. Teachers are desperate for supervision and training. Some are stale. They need feedback. They need inspiration."
When her eldest daughter was assigned to the fifth grade classroom of the teacher encountered above, Ann, who chose not to use her real name because she has three younger children yet to be placed in that school, was nervous. "I had heard a lot of rumors about this teacher's reputation. He yelled a lot. He teased and picked on kids. He did not have high expectations. He's a guy who wishes he was a principal somewhere. He's burned out. He's just biding his time until something better comes along. I wasn't happy that my daughter was in his classroom, but I didn't feel like there was much I could do. We didn't want to change schools. This was the school she's attended all her life. All her friends are here."
Bogdanow cautions parents, "Don't believe all the rumors you hear about teachers. Go into this with an open mind. There are so many ways to make things more positive."
"My daughter was very nervous before school started," Ann recalls. "But we sat down together and I told her: 'In life you come up against people who are hard to get along with or irritate you. You can't always run away. Just do your best'."
Bogdanow stresses, "How you respond will affect your child's response. Rather than talk about your own bad feelings, help your child realize that we're all dealt things in life that are not good, but we need to make the best of the situation."
Parents often base teacher competency judgments on personality rather than productivity.
Mary J. Downey-Tipping, an education consultant in Brookline, Massachusetts says, "There are many factors to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of a teacher. Most important are how consistent and challenging the teacher is. Having a teacher who is inconsistent is more upsetting to a child than one with a stern teaching manner."
While Tipping recommends waiting at least one marking period before making any changes, she encourages parents to be alert to warning signs. "Does the child often complain of stomachaches and not wanting to go to school? Is there too much or too little homework? Is there a regular plan of testing? How much parent/teacher contact is there?
"Marks are subjective," says Tipping. "Parents should look carefully at all the work their child is bringing home. In the first three elementary grades, children should be assigned no more than 30 minutes of homework a night. It should show what the child is learning in school during the day. In grades four, five and six, teachers should stress developing study skills. There should be long range assignments which include basic outlining and planning skills."
Parents should keep a close watch on their child's progress in school.
"There's a problem," comments Bogdanow, "If the child begins acting out in school, stops working at his or her ability or there is a change in the quality of their work. Listen to your child. Don't negate what they're feeling and don't assume that the child is to blame. Things don't have to be at a crisis stage before you take action. Approach this as a parent/teacher partnership. Recognize the negative, but support the positive. Work together to figure out ways to make things better."
"Parents should really treat their child's teacher with respect," adds Tipping. "Deal with the difficulties adult to adult. Never use your child as a go-between."
Linda Tiller is a classroom aide at the elementary school her three children attend in Watertown, Massachusetts. She's seen improvement in the classrooms of teachers where parents get involved. "One of our teachers is a bit disorganized and sloppy. There is no structure in her classroom, so the kids have trouble focusing. They don't tune in. They're not well mannered. A lot of parents volunteer in that classroom. They organize activities and class projects. In other classrooms parents assist the teacher. Here they come up with ideas and initiate things themselves."
"Parents really need to stay involved," says Bogdanow. "Volunteer in the classroom. The teacher may feel threatened, but he may learn something, too. Teachers are very isolated. They may appreciate the assistance of another adult."
If a teacher is really not doing the job and is unresponsive to you, a meeting with the principal may be in order. Bogdanow says: "Principals, school boards and administrators need to know about poor teachers."
Other issues may be affecting a teacher's performance in the classroom. "Teachers can't do a good job if their curriculum is weak," says Tipping. "And schools are picking up all kinds of different societal aspects today. Children are coming into school with more issues than ever before."
Bogdanow notes, "A lot of teachers are poorly supervised. They don't receive support from principals and parents. Teachers need validation for the good things they do."
Often a parent's worst fear never materializes, as Ann explains. "The rumors we heard before school started were much worse that the truth. He wasn't really bad, just not a great teacher and by the end of the year all the kids liked him."
To make the school year better, Bogdanow suggests: "Prior to the opening of school, find another child who will be in the class, who can be friends with your child. Try to find outside interests for your child during the school year that they will enjoy."
To improve academic ability, follow Tipping's advice, "Make sure your child is reading at home. If your child doesn't get enough homework, assign some yourself."
Learning to accept an inferior teacher is a lesson children can apply to their lives long after graduation. "A kid goes to school from kindergarten through twelfth grade," Ann says. "All the teachers are not going to be great. We all have our faults. If they can rise above it and do their best I don't think they suffer in the long run."
Source: http://parenting.kaboose.com/education-and-learning/school-life/bad-teacher.html
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| 3. |
10 Things About Kindergarten You Need to Know Now
Posted On : Jun 19, 2013
By Traci Geiser
Entering kindergarten can be an exciting and stressful time for both parents and children. Feelings of sadness, concerns about your child's readiness, and fear of the unknown can make this transition difficult. However, this time is a great learning opportunity for parents and kids alike as you embark upon this new adventure together.
"In today's world the demands that modern day living place upon the family unit often push thoughtful consideration of the young child's beginning educational experiences onto the back burner," says Liz Blek, MS and President of the National Kindergarten Alliance. "Parents and kindergarten teachers need to get to know each child so as to correctly assess needs, abilities, interests, and learning style in order to provide the optimum learning environment."
Here are ten tips to help you, your child and your teacher get to know each other better and make the journey into kindergarten a little bit smoother for everyone involved.
1. Before You Begin
About a month before school starts, adjust your daily routine to fit the school day schedule. Have your child get up earlier, eat lunch later and spend some time doing fun projects or activities together that will help get him in learning mode, ready for school.
Read some books about kindergarten with your child. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, Will I Have a Friend? and The Kissing Hand are just a few great books to help your child get ready (ask your librarian for suggestions as well). Use these books as a springboard for discussion about your child's fears and excitement about school.
2. Readiness Concerns
Children come into kindergarten with a wide variety (and various levels) of skills and knowledge. Don't stress too much about where your child is. Be confident he'll gain the skills he needs in the coming year.
If you want help your child with some of the basic skills he'll need, spend some time helping him write his name and doing fun activities together to help him learn his letters, numbers, colors and shapes.
3. Transition Techniques
If you're feeling anxious or sad about your child going to school, try to not to let on in front of him. He'll be much more comfortable if he feels you are comfortable when you drop him off at school.
Don't linger at the first day of class. Come in and see the classroom, help your child find something to do, give a quick hug and kiss and tell him to have a great day. Even if your child is crying, he will adjust better after you have left, and kindergarten teachers are used to dealing with first day tears at the beginning of the school year.
4. Teacher Communication 101
If you have a question or concern, don't approach the teacher during the craziness of the drop off time in the morning. Send in a note or leave a phone message mentioning your reason for contacting her and let her know that you would like to meet with her to discuss it.
Read all the notes and newsletters that come home from your child's teacher and the school as soon as you get them. Keep a folder with important information about upcoming events, dates and notices so that all of that info is easily accessible. That way, if you have a question, you can start there.
5. Clarifying Questions
Want to talk to your child about what he's been doing in school? To help ask questions your child can answer, ask the teacher for a copy of the daily and weekly schedule, and keep up with the teacher's newsletters about what's being taught. That way, you can ask questions that are specific and straight-forward. For example, "What did you make in art class today?" or "What did you learn about frogs today?".
6. Ready, Set, Read!
One of the most exciting parts about kindergarten the new adventure of learning to read. The most important "homework" you can do to help prepare your child for this crucial, life-long skill is to read with him for 20-30 minutes every day. You can read books, do fun reading activities together, and even simply practice reading the words that surround you (on cereal boxes, at the grocery store, on street signs etc).
7. Social Situations
If your child is having difficulty with another child in the class, talk it over with the teacher before confronting another parent. She knows both children and understands their classroom dynamic and may have a solution.
If your child talks about playing with another child, invite him over for a play date. If possible, include the parent so you can get to know them as well.
8. Invest with Involvement
If possible, volunteer to help in the classroom. You can also ask the teacher if there's anything you can do at home to help out. Attend field trips and other special school events whenever you can. When you're involved at school, you're showing your child and his teacher that his education is important to you!
9. Conferences and Evaluations
Come to conferences with questions you've written down ahead of time. If the teacher has specific concerns, ask for suggestions of things you can do at home to help your child with problem areas.
Don't fret about grades in kindergarten. Use grades and evaluations as guides for feedback on which areas to work on at home. But don't let them stress you out!
10. Learning is Fun!
What's most important about this crucial transition into formal education is the understanding that school and learning are fun and exciting. Don't sweat the small stuff and make things unnecessarily stressful. Tap into your child's natural curiosity and excitement about learning new things and the year is sure to be a success.
Most children do very well during the adjustment to kindergarten. Approach the year with enthusiasm and excitement and your child is likely to follow your lead. It won't be long before you realize the transition to kindergarten is as easy as ABC!
Source:http://www.education.com/magazine/article/10-kindergarten/?page=2
By Traci Geiser
Entering kindergarten can be an exciting and stressful time for both parents and children. Feelings of sadness, concerns about your child's readiness, and fear of the unknown can make this transition difficult. However, this time is a great learning opportunity for parents and kids alike as you embark upon this new adventure together.
"In today's world the demands that modern day living place upon the family unit often push thoughtful consideration of the young child's beginning educational experiences onto the back burner," says Liz Blek, MS and President of the National Kindergarten Alliance. "Parents and kindergarten teachers need to get to know each child so as to correctly assess needs, abilities, interests, and learning style in order to provide the optimum learning environment."
Here are ten tips to help you, your child and your teacher get to know each other better and make the journey into kindergarten a little bit smoother for everyone involved.
1. Before You Begin
About a month before school starts, adjust your daily routine to fit the school day schedule. Have your child get up earlier, eat lunch later and spend some time doing fun projects or activities together that will help get him in learning mode, ready for school.
Read some books about kindergarten with your child. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, Will I Have a Friend? and The Kissing Hand are just a few great books to help your child get ready (ask your librarian for suggestions as well). Use these books as a springboard for discussion about your child's fears and excitement about school.
2. Readiness Concerns
Children come into kindergarten with a wide variety (and various levels) of skills and knowledge. Don't stress too much about where your child is. Be confident he'll gain the skills he needs in the coming year.
If you want help your child with some of the basic skills he'll need, spend some time helping him write his name and doing fun activities together to help him learn his letters, numbers, colors and shapes.
3. Transition Techniques
If you're feeling anxious or sad about your child going to school, try to not to let on in front of him. He'll be much more comfortable if he feels you are comfortable when you drop him off at school.
Don't linger at the first day of class. Come in and see the classroom, help your child find something to do, give a quick hug and kiss and tell him to have a great day. Even if your child is crying, he will adjust better after you have left, and kindergarten teachers are used to dealing with first day tears at the beginning of the school year.
4. Teacher Communication 101
If you have a question or concern, don't approach the teacher during the craziness of the drop off time in the morning. Send in a note or leave a phone message mentioning your reason for contacting her and let her know that you would like to meet with her to discuss it.
Read all the notes and newsletters that come home from your child's teacher and the school as soon as you get them. Keep a folder with important information about upcoming events, dates and notices so that all of that info is easily accessible. That way, if you have a question, you can start there.
5. Clarifying Questions
Want to talk to your child about what he's been doing in school? To help ask questions your child can answer, ask the teacher for a copy of the daily and weekly schedule, and keep up with the teacher's newsletters about what's being taught. That way, you can ask questions that are specific and straight-forward. For example, "What did you make in art class today?" or "What did you learn about frogs today?".
6. Ready, Set, Read!
One of the most exciting parts about kindergarten the new adventure of learning to read. The most important "homework" you can do to help prepare your child for this crucial, life-long skill is to read with him for 20-30 minutes every day. You can read books, do fun reading activities together, and even simply practice reading the words that surround you (on cereal boxes, at the grocery store, on street signs etc).
7. Social Situations
If your child is having difficulty with another child in the class, talk it over with the teacher before confronting another parent. She knows both children and understands their classroom dynamic and may have a solution.
If your child talks about playing with another child, invite him over for a play date. If possible, include the parent so you can get to know them as well.
8. Invest with Involvement
If possible, volunteer to help in the classroom. You can also ask the teacher if there's anything you can do at home to help out. Attend field trips and other special school events whenever you can. When you're involved at school, you're showing your child and his teacher that his education is important to you!
9. Conferences and Evaluations
Come to conferences with questions you've written down ahead of time. If the teacher has specific concerns, ask for suggestions of things you can do at home to help your child with problem areas.
Don't fret about grades in kindergarten. Use grades and evaluations as guides for feedback on which areas to work on at home. But don't let them stress you out!
10. Learning is Fun!
What's most important about this crucial transition into formal education is the understanding that school and learning are fun and exciting. Don't sweat the small stuff and make things unnecessarily stressful. Tap into your child's natural curiosity and excitement about learning new things and the year is sure to be a success.
Most children do very well during the adjustment to kindergarten. Approach the year with enthusiasm and excitement and your child is likely to follow your lead. It won't be long before you realize the transition to kindergarten is as easy as ABC!
Source:http://www.education.com/magazine/article/10-kindergarten/?page=2
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7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens
Posted On : Jun 19, 2013
By Danielle Wood
For teens, life is not a playground, it's a jungle. And, being the parent of a teenager isn't any walk in the park, either. In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, author Sean Covey attempts to provide "a compass to help teens and their parents navigate the problems they encounter daily."
How will they deal with peer pressure? Motivation? Success or lack thereof? The life of a teenager is full of tough issues and life-changing decisions. As a parent, you are responsible to help them learn the principles and ethics that will help them to reach their goals and live a successful life.
While it's all well and good to tell kids how to live their lives, "teens watch what you do more than they listen to what you say," Covey says. So practice what you preach. Your example can be very influential.
Covey himself has done well by following a parent's example. His dad, Stephen Covey, wrote the book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, which sold over 15 million copies. Sean's a chip off the old block, and no slacker. His own book has rung in a more than respectable 2 million copies sold. Here are his seven habits, and some ideas for helping your teen understand and apply them:
Be Proactive
Being proactive is the key to unlocking the other habits. Help your teen take control and responsibility for her life. Proactive people understand that they are responsible for their own happiness or unhappiness. They don't blame others for their own actions or feelings.
Begin With the End in Mind
If teens aren't clear about where they want to end up in life, about their values, goals, and what they stand for, they will wander, waste time, and be tossed to and fro by the opinions of others. Help your teen create a personal mission statement which will act as a road map and direct and guide his decision-making process.
Put First Things First
This habit helps teens prioritize and manage their time so that they focus on and complete the most important things in their lives. Putting first things first also means learning to overcome fears and being strong during difficult times. It's living life according to what matters most.
Think Win-Win
Teens can learn to foster the belief that it is possible to create an atmosphere of win-win in every relationship. This habit encourages the idea that in any given discussion or situation both parties can arrive at a mutually beneficial solution. Your teen will learn to celebrate the accomplishments of others instead of being threatened by them.
Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Because most people don't listen very well, one of the great frustrations in life is that many don't feel understood. This habit will ensure your teen learns the most important communication skill there is: active listening.
Synergize
Synergy is achieved when two or more people work together to create something better than either could alone. Through this habit, teens learn it doesn't have to be "your way" or "my way" but rather a better way, a higher way. Synergy allows teens to value differences and better appreciate others.
Sharpen the Saw
Teens should never get too busy living to take time to renew themselves. When a teen "sharpens the saw" she is keeping her personal self sharp so that she can better deal with life. It means regularly renewing and strengthening the four key dimensions of life body, brain, heart, and soul.
Source:http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ed_7_Habits_Successful/
By Danielle Wood
For teens, life is not a playground, it's a jungle. And, being the parent of a teenager isn't any walk in the park, either. In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, author Sean Covey attempts to provide "a compass to help teens and their parents navigate the problems they encounter daily."
How will they deal with peer pressure? Motivation? Success or lack thereof? The life of a teenager is full of tough issues and life-changing decisions. As a parent, you are responsible to help them learn the principles and ethics that will help them to reach their goals and live a successful life.
While it's all well and good to tell kids how to live their lives, "teens watch what you do more than they listen to what you say," Covey says. So practice what you preach. Your example can be very influential.
Covey himself has done well by following a parent's example. His dad, Stephen Covey, wrote the book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, which sold over 15 million copies. Sean's a chip off the old block, and no slacker. His own book has rung in a more than respectable 2 million copies sold. Here are his seven habits, and some ideas for helping your teen understand and apply them:
Be Proactive
Being proactive is the key to unlocking the other habits. Help your teen take control and responsibility for her life. Proactive people understand that they are responsible for their own happiness or unhappiness. They don't blame others for their own actions or feelings.
Begin With the End in Mind
If teens aren't clear about where they want to end up in life, about their values, goals, and what they stand for, they will wander, waste time, and be tossed to and fro by the opinions of others. Help your teen create a personal mission statement which will act as a road map and direct and guide his decision-making process.
Put First Things First
This habit helps teens prioritize and manage their time so that they focus on and complete the most important things in their lives. Putting first things first also means learning to overcome fears and being strong during difficult times. It's living life according to what matters most.
Think Win-Win
Teens can learn to foster the belief that it is possible to create an atmosphere of win-win in every relationship. This habit encourages the idea that in any given discussion or situation both parties can arrive at a mutually beneficial solution. Your teen will learn to celebrate the accomplishments of others instead of being threatened by them.
Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Because most people don't listen very well, one of the great frustrations in life is that many don't feel understood. This habit will ensure your teen learns the most important communication skill there is: active listening.
Synergize
Synergy is achieved when two or more people work together to create something better than either could alone. Through this habit, teens learn it doesn't have to be "your way" or "my way" but rather a better way, a higher way. Synergy allows teens to value differences and better appreciate others.
Sharpen the Saw
Teens should never get too busy living to take time to renew themselves. When a teen "sharpens the saw" she is keeping her personal self sharp so that she can better deal with life. It means regularly renewing and strengthening the four key dimensions of life body, brain, heart, and soul.
Source:http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ed_7_Habits_Successful/
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